Ryan Mink

Cornerback Jaire Alexander returned to practice Wednesday, a good sign that he could make his Ravens debut Sunday night in Buffalo.

Alexander had not practiced since Aug. 9 as he managed his knee, which he had surgery on at the end of last season.

Asked Monday about whether Alexander could play Sunday despite missing so much practice time, Head Coach John Harbaugh said he would need Alexander back at practice this week. Alexander has been ramping up.

Tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) and fullback Patrick Ricard are not back on the field Wednesday, however. Harbaugh said Ricard is dealing with a "soft-tissue thing."

NFL Networks Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday morningthat Likely is not expected to play Sunday.

While the Ravens have felt there was a chance that Likely could return for the season-opener, they've also been preparing for the possibility that he could miss some regular-season action after suffering a broken bone in his foot early in training camp. Likely was not placed on injured reserve, however, meaning he's expected back within the first four weeks.

Not having Ricard would shake up the Ravens' rushing attack, as he's often used as a key blocker at the point of attack. Baltimore does have another fullback, undrafted rookie Lucas Scott, on the practice squad.

Though slated behind starters Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins on the depth chart, Alexander figures to play a prominent role in Baltimore's cornerback rotation from the start. He was one of the team's training camp standouts before being sidelined.